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It was our first full day and we are all getting into our groove. It didn’t take long for our campers to feel right at home. There were happy campers playing baseball, flying on the trapeze, working out in the fitness center, singing in the School of Rock. Camp was rocking today and kids had a pep in their step. It was just a giant good mood here at Chenny and it was contagious. I watched as group of kids sat around the apple tree and one camper pulled out a deck of cards and started a game of War. These kids didn’t need Netflix to fully occupy themselves. Instead it was 52 cards, good friends, lots of laughs and an afternoon that filled their souls. I found myself watching this incredible group of campers all period long and it was mesmerizing. There were jokes and lots of conversation and the most fun game of War I have witnessed.  They had a ball just being together. It was magical and it is exactly what camp life is all about. It’s the reason that friendships are on a different level here. It’s because your children are authentically themselves here and sitting under an apple tree playing card games is so much better than Fortnite. Screens are replaced by faces. Conversations rule. Holding hands beats  holding a device. It was just an incredible day at Chen-A-Wanda.

Our evening activity entertained the entire house. We had 2 insanely talented guys that took drumming to a whole new level. Our stage was covered with trash cans, pots and pans and buckets that were turned into the most fun drum show we have ever had here at Chenny. The kids were jamming along and loved every minute of the show. It was high intensity, it was comedy, it was crazy fun and your kids LOVED it! Just a great way to end a fabulous first full day. The best news is that we get to do this all over again tomorrow. To say were the lucky ones is an understatement. So here is to more card games sitting under apple trees, more laughs with great people by our side and more days and nights filled with good vibes. To say we are lucky to have this experience is an understatement. We cannot wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Chenny Out

 

After 10 long months of waiting for this day, it is finally here. Our house is full and we are happy up here in our little world of paradise. Our campers stepped of the bus and were welcomed with open arms, giant smiles, huge hugs and an excitement that makes you feel good from head to toe. There is just nothing quite like watching this scene as each bus rolls through our gate and campers enter a world of happiness, joy and so much love. Campers were flying into their counselors arms and these reunions could just melt your heart. Our new campers were wide eyed and so excited to meet their new friends and counselors. Within seconds, the magic happened and connections were made. Our campers got right into activities and ice breakers. We were outside, breathing in the beauty of where we will live for the next seven weeks. There was conversation, piggy back rides and human connection without a phone in sight. Your children played outside all afternoon and couldn’t get enough of it. The joy that swept over this place is truly awe-inspiring.

Our Staff has worked diligently these past few weeks getting ready for today but something special happens when the kids arrive – CAMP CHEN A WANDA LITERALLY FINDS ITS HEARTBEAT. They bring an energy and peacefulness that makes our house a home. I was sitting with a new camper in his bunk that was nervous and a bit teary. His bunkmates were outside having a catch but noticed their new buddy wasn’t dealing with his transition as easily as they were. Each camper came over to this boy and offered words of encouragement but most importantly they offered their friendship. There was no agenda with these amazing young boys, just an offer of kindness and support. I witnessed the best part of humanity at that moment as these kids embodied kindness to a level that took my breath away. They saw a new friend who was feeling unsure and scared and they put their hands out and brought him in. In a world that could feel overwhelmingly isolated and unfair – these boys were inclusive and kind. And we’re only on day 1.. This is looking to be an incredible summer.

It was off to our first dinner with a full house and it was INCREDIBLE!!! The music was pumping, the kids were singing at the top of their lungs, dancing on the tables and smiling from a place that looked as if it came right from their heart. This freedom to fully let go and embrace this experience allows our kids to feel comfortable in their skin knowing they are not judged but encouraged to be and feel free. Our kids need this and they get it here. It was an absolutely incredible day at Chenny and there wasn’t a moment today that I wasn’t overwhelmed with gratitude to be able to spend our summer with your kids.

Day 1 was a success and we are just getting started.

Life is Great at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.

Chenny out

Hi, I’m Sam “Skinny” Smith and this is my Camp Chen-A-Wanda story…

It was the almost the Summer of 2014. The summer was quickly approaching and me being a 19-year-old student, I had no plans for the summer. Luckily, a good friend of mine, Michael Evans, got in contact with me and started explaining how he had applied to work at a summer camp in Pennsylvania. Next thing, I am all set to work as a counselor at Camp Chen-A-Wanda!

I still remember the mad panic of getting the job, then rushing the visa, and finally, after all the flights and travel, getting to camp (three days after Staff Orientation had begun). I had made it and I will never forget my first night walking into the Counselors Lounge, jet-lagged, and desperate for my bed. The instant I walked in, Michael jumped at me and drags me to a group of four people playing a game. I remember first being terrified and then quickly getting to know them, and I still see a few of them every year at camp.

Even though my friend who introduced me to the idea of working at a summer camp was not up for a second summer, I did. The homely, friendly, and active style of camp had me instantly thinking I will be coming back here for more! Four summers so far in fact (and counting).

I don’t know whether it was “my boys” or the general camp vibe and excitement from all the campers and staff alike, but camp soon felt like home. Now as my next summer approaches, I am known by all my friends for constantly talking about camp and trying to recruit them to the next summer. It seems to be the first thing I ask people about if they mention looking for outdoor work.

I can honestly say that I have made some of my strongest connections through camp and still have members of the “Cheny Family” that I haven’t seen in multiple years, but can still speak to on a day to day basis! The summer at CAW are always different and seem to be getting better and better each year. Although “my boys” were CIT’s last year and some of the will not be returning this summer, I am still confident I will have a great summer back at camp. Now if I can only speed up time and get there now…

We honored week 6 & 7 Campers of the Week last night. Congratulations to another set of outstanding campers.

Freshman           Sammie Keane / Sofie Giarratana/ Mason Tave / Jed Schissler

Juniors                Paige Arenberg / Lela Schlanger / Charlie Horton / Max Garnock

Middies               Jordyn Fersko / Abby Issacson / Austin Bernstein / Dylan Nydish

Inters                   Addie Goldstein / Blair Mittleberg / Charlie Marcus / Alex Brandoff

Collegiates          Sylvie Slotkin / Alexa Starikov / Noah Marcus / Jake Konigsberg

Seniors                Lexi Gruberger / Sydney Wood / Ben Shamus / Jase Nadboy

Supers                 Charli Feldman / Sydney Guerwicz /Ben Klien / Adam Levinsky

GC’s                     Dylan Grabow / Jordan Ash / Jacob Graff / Ethan Gatto

CIT’s                    Syd Levitz / Sabrina Marpet / Andrew Larheim

Kind Campers always make us smile. Congratulations to this crew of kids who were honored as Kind Campers: Mason Berlin, Aidan Tessler, Aaron Hafkin, Jared Schwartz, Kobe Koren, Maddy Marcus, Lindsey Komson, Nikki Younger, Rian Marcus, Laine Bishop, Sydney Guerwicz, Rachel Novick, Brooke Kanganis, Ashley Schwartz, Abby Isaacson, Dani Glickman, Izzy Hutner, Natalie Portnoy, Jordan Hansel, Zoe Lederman, Taylor Klein, Ava Lefkowitz, Matthew Leviss, Sam Kreshover, Kash Bishop, Jacob Secular, Max Roth, Sam Brief, Brett Davner, Sammy Goldenstein, Jacob Coffman, Josh Lesser

 

 

To you, our Parents at home that have gone through 1000’s of pictures, watched all of our videos, read our blogs and let their children spread their wings with us – we say thank you for trusting and believing in us with your beautiful children. It has been our total and complete privilege to spend our summers with your kids. We read this letter tonight to them at our last evening in Shields Hall. We give them back to you a little taller, a lot more confident, with ton more friends and a summer family that loves them dearly. Thank you again for trusting us and sharing your amazing kids with us all summer long. We will never forget summer 2017.

To Our Chen-A-Wanda Family:

Fifty days ago, we stood in this very spot welcoming you to Summer 2017 and it’s crazy to think about all that we have done together and gone through and here we stand again tonight saying goodbye to one another. Every summer we are amazed at how we all fall in love with this place a little bit more. There is a feeling at this Chenny that just cannot be denied and there isn’t a person in this Hall that wasn’t affected by the magic of this place. Chen-A-Wanda changes you and connects you to others in a way that you just can’t describe but you are sure glad it happened.

We have seen you all grow tremendously in these past 7 weeks. It has been joyful watching you make new friends and opening your heart to new people entering your life. You may have chosen Chen-A-Wanda because of our lake or the Cookhouse or Circus but you come back for the people and how they make you feel. We have seen you work through conflicts and become closer to one another with a true understanding of what the word friendship truly means. We cannot express the feeling we get as we watch all of you take care of one another. When one of you is sad, you have a group of people who will instantly come to their rescue and wrap their arms around you until you feel safe and better. That doesn’t exist in the real world but it does here at Chen-A-Wanda. We are not Insta Friends here.. We are REAL friends. Direct message here means I am talking to you in person and not watching those three dots blinking as I am waiting for a text back – It means, I get to hear your voice and see how much you care about me. Snap Chat just doesn’t matter when we can make Our Real Stories together. We are holding hands and not holding our phones here. This is REAL.. Not what we edit and add filters to. In 7 weeks, each one of you committed to being real and from the looks of things, it worked out pretty well. Take what happened here this summer back home with you and continue talking to each other it is so much better than texting.

To our incredible kind enthusiastic patient and giving staff: You have given so much of yourself this summer. You have pushed yourself to a limit and when you thought you had nothing else left to give, you dug deeper and gave more. Our kids had the most incredible summer not because of our climbing tower or trapeze but because of you and your heart and how much you gave to every single camper in this hall. There wasn’t a day we didn’t see you with a camper on your back or in your lap. Like we said when you arrived, just wait and see how much these kids will mean to you when you leave. It’s hard to describe but we know your campers crept not only into your laps but into your hearts.

To our campers:
You rolled through out gates and literally breathed life into our summer home. Without you, we are just a camp with beautiful buildings, cool courts and fun fields but YOU are the heart and soul to what gives this place the feeling it has here. We have watched you accomplish so much this summer. We have watched you make new friends that are now family. We have witnessed you becoming the best version of yourselves here. You climbed to the top of tower when you were convinced you were afraid of heights. You never thought you would dance and sing in front of the entire camp but that’s what we do here and it felt great. We watched you connect to one another and that connection makes these friendships unlike any other friendships we have. They are stronger, deeper and way more meaningful because you have shared your heart with others in a way that can only happen at camp.

To our CITS:
Well this is it. Your journey as a camper has come to an end and the road ahead is filled with great adventures and a new story you will soon create. You definitely left your mark here at Chenny and you passed on your love for the camp you stayed so loyal to all these years and to the campers you cared for all summer long. We adore each and every one of you and feel a deep privledge to have watched you grow summer after summer after summer. Stay close and connected and always know that Chen-A-Wanda will be your forever summer home. 
Hey GC’s – You’re on deck and we can’t wait to see YOU on The Hill!

So we all came here one way and we are all most definitely leaving here another – we leave with more friends, more connections, more confidence, more experiences all to make us better people. Camp has that effect on each one of us and when we look out at all of your beautiful faces we see a summer family that we are so very proud to be a part of. We leave here inspired by your incredible spirit, moved by your kindness and feeling so grateful because Life is GREAT at Camp Chen-A-Wanda.